Press of the Empire

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 99, 30 April 1935, Page 9

Press of the Empire

DELEGATE’S RETURN FROM CONFERENCE Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, April 27. “South Africa, though young in years, is already steeped in tradition and lias made great strides along the road of national nationhood. Her people are filled with a deep sense of pride in their achievements. They like to think of South Africa the nation, but they are imbued by the most friendly and co-operative wishes for the common weal of the Commonwealth of the British Empire.” Such was the impression received by Mr. T. M. Goddis, of Napier, who with Mi'3. Geddis returned to-day after attending the fifth Imporial Press Conference in South Africa and participating in a seven week’s tour of the Union, Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia, and Basutoland. Mr. Geddis spoke enthusiastically of the generous hospitality of the South African Government and of the people. The conference and the tour were successful in every detail, and every delegate would long remember the experience. Tho establishment of a permanent committee to meet annually and keep an eye on the development of inter-imperial news services and other matters affecting the newspapers of tho Empire was an important step.' What was possibibly more valuable than the instructive debates were the contacts established between representatives editors and newspapermen from various parts of the Empire—England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Coylon, and the Straits Settlements. Tho delegates found that they had much in comrnou on many! subjects and'they had formed friendship and gained first-hand knowledge on many matters. The New Zealand delegate, Mr. E. G. Kerr, of Timaru, went from Cape Town to England, where he will spend some months.